ROCHESTER — Three Police Department members were honored Wednesday evening for their hard work, dedication, loyalty and teamwork throughout the year.

Police Detective Steve Gahan, who works in the prosecution unit, was named Police Officer of the Year during Wednesday’s Police Commission meeting.

“He has done so much that goes above and beyond what’s normally asked,” said Police Chief Mike Allen, before Police Commissioner David Winship presented Gahan with a plaque that will be hung in the police station lobby.

Gahan, who is approaching his third anniversary with the city’s Police Department, does a fantastic job working through the heavy work load in the prosecution unit, said Allen.

Allen said that in speaking with judges and attorneys who work with Gahan, he has heard nothing but praise.

“Not only is he an outstanding police officer, he’s also an outstanding comedian,” Allen added, recalling a PowerPoint presentation Gahan made for the recent Policeman’s Ball, during which he showed old pictures of fellow Police Department members, including Allen.

Gahan, said Allen, has also helped train officers in prosecution, and has previously been seen making public service announcements on the local government channel.

The Police Commission on Wednesday also honored Keri Devine, who was given the Communications Specialist of the Year award.

Devine, who grew up in the Lilac City, has been with the Police Department for about five years.

Allen said that as a dispatcher, Devine always stays calm in professional, even when dealing with stressful situations.

“Being a dispatcher is a pressure-cooker job,” said Allen. “First and foremost, she puts safety first — whether it’s for fire, police, or EMS.”

Chelsey ZeRuth, crime analyst at the police department, was given the Support Person of the Year award.

“Chelsey exemplifies the type of person a police department would want in their ranks,” said Allen. “She’s a proactive conduit to information sharing in our department and other departments.”

Wednesday’s ceremony was the first one to implement the Officer of the Year, Communications Specialist, and Support Person of the Year awards. The awards were created several months ago by Allen, to recognize police staff who show consistent work that goes above and beyond throughout the year.

Candidates for the three awards are nominated by their peers at the department, and the command staff then chooses the final winner for each award.